CTC Academy Hosts “Special Legislative Conversations” to Address Critical Nursing Shortage

FAIR LAWN, NJ [MAY 13, 2026] — CTC Academy recently hosted a powerful event, “Special Legislative Conversations,” bringing together families, healthcare providers, and state legislators to shine a light on the devastating Private Duty Nursing (PDN) crisis in New Jersey. The event, marked by emotional testimony and a call for urgent policy reform, centered on the theme: “Raise the Rate, Homecare Can’t Wait!”

The day began with a welcome from CTC STEP students and Executive Director Anne Ogden, followed by a campus tour for legislative staff to observe the essential services provided to students with complex medical needs.

A System in Crisis

Shelby Myers of Hearts for Home Care opened the forum by announcing that this would become an annual event, stressing that the current shortage is unsustainable. Statistics shared by Jessica Heebner of Aveanna Home Health revealed that approximately one-third of all nursing shifts in New Jersey currently go unfilled, leaving families in a state of constant peril.

The human cost of these statistics was voiced by mothers like Julie and Dennise, both of whom have been forced out of the workforce—despite their professional backgrounds as a therapist and a math teacher—because they lack dependable nursing for their children.

“I don’t know what I would do without the nurses I have,” shared Chrissy Santucci, mother of three. “My son is not a medical insurance checklist; he is a young man. Without overnight nursing, I am sleeping on the floor next to him and asking my ten-year-old to fend for himself.”

The Legislative Response

Assemblywoman Shama Haider and Senator Angela McKnight both addressed the crowd, pledging their support for budget legislation that would increase reimbursement rates and nurse pay.

Senator McKnight made a special effort to attend, challenging her colleagues in Trenton to visit CTC Academy and enter the homes of these families to witness the reality of the care crisis firsthand.
Assemblywoman Haider shared a personal connection, citing her disabled grandchild’s struggles in New York. She urged parents to keep pushing, noting that “the key to change is constituents making their voices heard and sharing their stories.”

The Professional Perspective

Patricia Gent, a PDN nurse with 20 years of experience, provided a sobering look at the profession. “You are not part of a team; you are the team,” she said, describing the isolation and immense responsibility of solo home care. She noted that stagnant wages and lack of benefits are driving talented nurses away from the field, further destabilizing families.

Jessica Heebner of Aveanna Home Health reinforced that home care is the most efficient and humane way to care for children with disabilities, yet without nurses, these children lose access to school, therapies, and social lives.

A Call to Action

The event concluded with a call for unified advocacy. Attendees were encouraged to attend an upcoming rally to demand higher medicaid funding and more rigorous oversight of insurance companies.

Noah’s mother, who left her son’s hospital bedside after 43 days just to speak at the event, closed with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.:

“Our lives begin to end the day we stop talking about the things that matter.”

CTC Academy and its partners remain committed to ensuring that legislators see the faces behind the bill numbers, moving toward a future where “home care” is a reliable reality rather than a daily struggle for survival.

About CTC Academy: CTC Academy is a non-profit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.